Always wanted to restore one of these

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Scott_Conger
Posts: 6435
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
Location: Clark, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by Scott_Conger » Tue Sep 28, 2021 3:52 pm

I bought one a few months ago from my friend Bill which was already restored and was really too nice to mess with. So intrigued was I with the one Bill sold me, that I then purchased this one, was a very sad thing with every screw corroded to nothingness and the venturi totally falling apart as they often are.

None of the fasteners can be purchased (that I could determine with lots of research), so were all fabricated as was the venturi. The best thing is that now I have specialized tooling and mechanical drawings of all of the bits that go missing or get dorked up. After looking at this, I realize now that the fuel line is not installed for the picture, but it was fabricated as well.

I'm suspicious that this was NOS despite being filthy as almost all of the original lacquer (?) is there protecting the bronze, which I discovered after the initial cleaning, and I chose to keep for this one. Additionally, the throttle had zero wear and the float and needle looked pristine (good stuff is still out there!). For whatever reason, the center of the casting directly below the idle circuit vent screen had lost it's coating, and that surface represents what it would look like if it had gotten "the works". Perhaps the next one will get the Full Monty as they really look sharp that way. I think this one will patinate very well naturally.

I think this turned out well. I just wish I had a good camera as this doesn't do it justice...

IMG_20210928_132907.jpg
Last edited by Scott_Conger on Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


Norman Kling
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by Norman Kling » Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:09 pm

What brand it it? It does not fit a standard T manifold. When were they made and what cars were they made for?
Norm


Topic author
Scott_Conger
Posts: 6435
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
Location: Clark, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by Scott_Conger » Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:14 pm

It's a Zenith S4BF, made specifically for "T"s. They came with a special manifold which I would have pictured, but it is out getting powdercoated.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


speedytinc
Posts: 3866
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: karvaly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
Location: orange, ca
MTFCA Number: 14383
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by speedytinc » Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:14 pm

Real beauty. Are they known for performing well on a T? How would you compare to other known carbs?


Topic author
Scott_Conger
Posts: 6435
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
Location: Clark, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by Scott_Conger » Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:19 pm

They were specifically made to make a stock "T" get up and go...and they do. They have a true idle circuit which is fully adjustable for mixture richness, as well as an acceleration well for instant "OOMPH" on demand. The only (minor) drawback is that they are tuned to a specific displacement engine via the selectible venturi and main and compensating jets. Any work done to the engine today may knock the factory settings out a bit, so you can make an adjustable main jet to compensate for that and it really helps dial in the carb to a massaged engine without having to experiment with different numbered jets (though that will work fine, too). I did not add an adjustable jet to this one but will on the next one.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


speedytinc
Posts: 3866
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: karvaly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
Location: orange, ca
MTFCA Number: 14383
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by speedytinc » Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:27 pm

Scott_Conger wrote:
Tue Sep 28, 2021 4:19 pm
They were specifically made to make a stock "T" get up and go...and they do. They have a true idle circuit as well as an acceleration well for instant "OOMPH". The only (minor) drawback is that they are tuned to a specific displacement engine via the selectible venturi and main and compensating jets. Any work done to the engine today may knock the factory settings out a bit, so you can make an adjustable main jet to compensate for that and it really helps dial in the carb to a massaged engine. I did not add an adjustable jet to this one but will on the next one.
Excellent, adjustable main jet option.
Have that on an A type iron zenith fitz all carb. Works well.


pre15dale
Posts: 146
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:28 pm
First Name: Dale
Last Name: Kemmerer
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 touring 1911 open runabout
Location: Medford, OR1909

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by pre15dale » Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:17 pm

I have two of those with manifolds. One was rebuilt by Stan Howe and the other is untouched. Have not put either one on a car yet. Might use one on the 11 open run about and maybe the other on a 14 touring.


Norman Kling
Posts: 4092
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by Norman Kling » Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:09 pm

Thank you for the information. It looks and sounds like a very good one.
Norm


ThreePedalTapDancer
Posts: 1443
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2019 2:29 pm
First Name: Ed
Last Name: Martin
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1909 Touring
Location: Idaho

Re: Always wanted to restore one of these

Post by ThreePedalTapDancer » Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:23 pm

I’ve found several over the years, most had a shattered Venturi. Stan Howe made a bunch of venturis for them. I sold a NOS one years ago for a pretty penny.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1381924692

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic